PROFESSOR Herbert Vilakazi (73), one of Mzansi’s leading sociologists, died of prostate cancer on Tuesday afternoon at Wilgers Life Hospital in Pretoria East, Tshwane.
Family spokesman advocate Chain Vilakazi said the illness had taken its toll on the charismatic professor.
“He just lay there motionless. His family including his mother and daughter had just arrived from Maryland, US, to be by his side,” said Vilakazi.
The professor spent almost three months in intensive care.
He obtained his BA in sociology and anthropology from Columbia University in New York in 1966.
He went on to receive his MA in sociology and education at the same university.
Vilakazi is said to have produced no less than 400 papers, articles, chapter contributions to books and tributes to luminaries all over the world.
He will be laid to rest next Saturday at the Pretoria East Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held for him at Unisa on Wednesday from 4pm.
